A Montana filmmaker has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, NBA star LeBron James, and other Hollywood figures, alleging that they copied his copyrighted script to create the streaming platform’s recent film “Rez Ball.” The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in a California federal court, claims that the film shares “striking similarities” with the plaintiff’s original script, from character arcs and dialogue to scene sequences.
Filmmaker Rob Grabow Claims Copyright Infringement
The lawsuit was brought by filmmaker Rob Grabow and his company, Paradise Valley Pictures LLC. Grabow, known for his 2023 feature film “The Year of the Dog,” is currently working on a new project titled “The Gift of the Game.” He asserts that “Rez Ball” not only shares a similar premise with his script but also allegedly copies specific, expressive elements of his work.
“It’s not that the two works share just the same general premise, which they do,” Grabow stated in the 25-page complaint. He alleges that the film, co-created by James and other industry insiders, includes concrete details he had shared in confidence under a nondisclosure agreement (NDA).
Allegations of Breached Confidentiality Agreements
According to the complaint, Grabow’s script, registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, centers on a mixed-race high school basketball team’s journey to win a state championship, with themes focusing on community, race relations, and overcoming adversity. Grabow claims he reached out to several Hollywood professionals to collaborate on the film, including Brit Hensel, who had worked on the Emmy-nominated FX series “Reservation Dogs.”
